European Commissioner Dismisses Fast-Track Procedure for Ukraine’s Accession to EU

The accession criteria for Ukraine are the same as for any other candidate country, the commissioner said. The preparations for Ukraine to start accession negotiations with the European Union could take more than a year or two. European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi said this in comments to the German news outlet Welt. He noted that even if Kyiv manages to enter negotiations before the end of 2023, they will not be completed within a year. “Given the extensive work required to prepare for participation in the EU internal market and many other important policy areas, all preparations for accession are likely to take more than a year or two,” Varhelyi said. For her part, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Olha Stefanishyna said in a commentary to the publication that Ukraine had started the integration process even before it was granted a status of a candidate country. “A large number of reforms have already been carried out under the supervision of the EU. Therefore, it is possible to act faster and not to use the standard procedure,” she said. However, Varhelyi ruled out an accelerated procedure for Ukraine. “The accession criteria for Ukraine are the same as for any other candidate country,” he said. Yet, the EU is positive about Ukraine’s aspirations. “Ukraine is striving for rapid reforms and is eager to speed up the necessary work. This is positive. But not all seven reforms can be carried out quickly,” Varhelyi said, adding that a timetable for the start of negotiations could not be determined. Recall, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had no doubt Ukraine will be granted membership in the European Union within two or three years. The EU described this aspiration as “optimistic, energetic and strong”.